Ligature package



May 25, 1937.

E. THEMAK I 2,081,389

LIGATURE PACKAGE Filed Jan. 5, 1935 INVENTOR. 'DWAR.D 'THI-MAK ATTORNEYS Patented May 25, 1937 2,081,389 LIGA'rnnn rsonson Edward Themak, New York, N. Y, assignor to Geek Laboratories, Inc, New York, N. 1 a corporation of New York Application January 5, 1935, Serial No. 535

7 Claims.

The present invention has for an object to provide an improved package for gut ligature.

Surgical ligatures are supplied to physicians and surgeons each in a compact package comprising an hermetically sealed frangible glass vial containing a ligature together with a preservative liquid. I

The ligature package of this invention is an improvement on the package shown in Patent No. 1,887,529 granted to me November 15, 1932,

- present package the ligature is wound in a helical coil in such a way that the curvature of the ligature is the same throughout its length. Furthermore, the ligature is more quickly and easily removed from the holder and with less chance of snarling while the advantages of the projecting tab carrying size and quality marks as pro vided by the holder of the patent is retained.

These new advantages are provided by forming the ligature in a helix about a straightholder from whichit can be readily pulled for use.

The nature and objects of the invention will be better understood from a description of a particular embodiment thereof for the purpose of which description reference should be had to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof and in which- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a ligature package embodying the invention,

Fig. a is a perspective view of a ligatureholder of the type shown in the package of Fig. 1 show- .ing the ligature in process of being removed from the holder,

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing a ligature hav- 0 ing right hand helical lines indicating the twist (or. coo-nae) holder 6. The ligature should not be wound tightly enough to cause a sharper bend or break over the edges of the holder.v The holder is provided with spaced apertures 8, 9 as securing devices to receive and retain the ends of the ligatureand between which the coil lies. Beyond the coil position a projecting tab Ill is provided which may receive the designations indicating the style, size, quality, etc. of the ligature. The aperture 6, is preferably formed as an open ended longitudinal slot such that the ligature can readilybe removed from the holderwithout inconvenience or delay when the package is opened. The second aperture 9 is preferably in the form of a longitudinal slot rather than a round hole, so that the end of the ligature can be easily-pulled therefrom and will not catch in the hole as the ligature isremoved. 1

As shown in Fig. 2, the ligature may be removed trom the holder as a whole after which it y is straightened by direct pull on the opposite ends.

The direction ofthe turn of the coil is the same twist and then increase it upon removal than to provide a greater original twistand decrease it 3 later. The term "direction of twist as here used refers to the direction of the'helical lines formed by the twist.

There are certain definite advantages in the particular form of holder shown but obviously the iorminay be varied While retaining some of the advantages. For example, a holder which is cylindrical and fits tightly, or preferably loosely,

within the helix will still preserve the ligature and will permit it to be, removed quite readily.

The foregoing particular description is illustrative merely and is not intended as defining the limits of the invention.

I claim:

1. A ligature package comprising a hermetically sealed vial and enclosed therein a surgical gut ligature with a holder on which said ligature is wound comprising a long narrow thin fiat strip, the gut ligature forming a helical coil circular in cross section about said holder, said holder hav- 3. A ligature package comprising a hermetically sealed vial and enclosed therein a surgical gut ligature with a holder on which said ligature is wound comprising a thin flat straight sided strip having spaced ligature receiving apertures to receive and retain the ends or the ligature wound .therebetween and a datatab extending beyond one of said apertures, the ligature forming a helical coil circular in cross\ section about said holder between the apertures with its ends projecting through the apertures.

4. A ligature package, as defined in claim 3,

wherein the wind of the coil is 01' the same direction as the twist oi the ligature whereby when the ligature is drawn from the holder by one end the twist of the ligature is tightened,

5. A ligature package comprising a hermetically sealed vial and enclosed therein a long straight sided thin flat holder having spaced ligature securing devices, a ligature wound about said holder between said devices to form a helical coil circular in cross section with its ends secured by said wound comprising a long narrow thin flat strip,

the gut ligature forming a. helical coil circular in cross section about said holder, said holder having one end projecting beyond the coil to provide a data carrying tab.

7. A ligature package comprising an hermetically sealed vial l, and enclosed therein a helical gut ligature with a holder 6 on which said ligature is wound in a helical coil circular in cross section, said holder comprising a straight sided thin flat strip having spaced ligature receiving apertures 8 and 9 to receive and retain the ends of the ligature wound therebetween, one aperture, 8, being open at the end of the holder whereby the coiled ligature can be removed by merely stripping it bodily from the holder, substantially as described.

EDWARD YIHEMAK. 

